Casting Around Part 1

Its that time of year. The networks are casting their pilots and there are some big names both sides of the camera. Many of these shows will never see the light of day, but here’s a round up of some of the notable shows that MIGHT happen

Canterbury Tales – Julianna Marguiles returns to series television with this legal drama about a defence attorney named Elizabeth Canterbury. Mike Figgis directs the pilot.

Demons – Another ER alum Ron Eldard takes the spooky lead here alongside Lost escapee Harold Perrinaeu and Hustle babe Jamie Murray

Dirty Sexy Money – Great title. Peter Krause plays an idealistic lawyer who inherits the job of representing a powerful and ethically flexible family after his father dies.

Los Duques – The title will change but look who’s back - Jimmy Smits new show is about a multi-generational Latin American family working in South Florida's rum business. Smits will play Alex Vega, an outsider given control of the Duque Rum works.

Football Wives – Bryan Singer is adapting this for US screens, and has cast Lucy Lawless as Tanya, the ruthless bitchy wife of bad boy Jason Turner. Lawless, best known as Xena, is currrently in Battlestar Galactica.

The Man – LL Cool J stars in a new show from CSI creator Anthony Zuiker.

Mrs and Mrs Smith – Doug Liman is adapting his own movie for the small screen and has cast the little known Martin Henderson and the under-rated Jordana Brewster in the leads.

Lipstick Jungle - Kim Raver (Thirdwatch, 24) joins Brooke Shields in the re-cast NBC pilot

Skip Tracer - Oscar nominated director Steven Frears is the behind the camera as Steven Dorff plays a man who finds people who are trying to disappear

And finally former NYPD Blue star Mark-Paul Gosselaar and ex West Winger Janeane Garrofolo will star in a new CBS drama about the lives of LA public defenders.